SBP invites Duterte to attend Olympic qualifiers

Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, middle, wears a Gilas Pilipinas jacket during a meeting with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte could be in attendance when the Philippines competes against some of the world’s best in the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament this July at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), led by executive director Sonny Barrios, on Thursday had a courtesy call with leading presidential candidate at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao.

“If his schedule will allow him, he will watch,” Barrios said. “He cannot commit at the moment, but he is very supportive of our OQT hosting and Gilas Pilipinas.”

The SBP formally handed the longtime Davao City mayor an invitation to watch Gilas Pilipinas shoot for a ticket to the Rio Olympics.

“We just gave him the handwritten letter from SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan inviting him for the OQT in July,” said Barrios. “We also gave him an official OQT ball and he autographed a personal best wishes dedication to MVP on another ball.”

Barrios also shared Duterte wore a Gilas Pilipinas jacket during the meeting.

“Malamig kasi dito sa presidential suite ng Marco Polo,” Barrios quoted Duterte as saying. 

Joining Barrios in the short meeting were SBP board member and regional director Boy Cua and SBP legal consultant Edgar Francisco.